Canon 85mm F1.2L Mark II

Two bodies, one with each. Problem solved!

LoremIpsum wrote in post #5303003
I've been using it for sometime now. I think it a must for wedding photographer who keen on shooting natural indoor light. Especially how dark Some of these churches are. It's not that slow like everyone is complaining about. Here's my copy on my new beloved M3

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I agree. The 85L gets stored attached to my Mk 3 as well because it is just a match made in heaven. I use my 85L quite a bit at weddings. Being able to use natural light just adds to the mood of weddings.

EOS_JD wrote in post #5303829
If you are an experienced pohotographer capable of shooting a wedding you should not even need to ask this question!

Read the many reviews.

Thanks for your opinion, but I'm not. That's why asking.

canoncad wrote in post #5307384
Thanks for your opinion, but I'm not. That's why asking.

You have some fantastic equipment and I would have thought you would have known exactly what you will get with the 85L without having to ask.....

As someone looking to move into weddings, you should know your camera inside out and know what lenses you need and why you need them. Find a pro and ask to shoot as an assistant for a while if you can.

You certainly have the kit there required to do great wedding work and in fact I question why you need an 85 f1.2L with all the other gear you have.

I think you would find more use for either a 24-70 f2.8L and/or a 70-200 f2.8L IS.

Sorry if I sound harsh but weddings are once in a lifetime events and you need to know exactly what to expect before jumping in - especially without the right experience.

EOS_JD wrote in post #5308890
You have some fantastic equipment and I would have thought you would have known exactly what you will get with the 85L without having to ask.....

As someone looking to move into weddings, you should know your camera inside out and know what lenses you need and why you need them. Find a pro and ask to shoot as an assistant for a while if you can.

You certainly have the kit there required to do great wedding work and in fact I question why you need an 85 f1.2L with all the other gear you have.

I think you would find more use for either a 24-70 f2.8L and/or a 70-200 f2.8L IS.

Sorry if I sound harsh but weddings are once in a lifetime events and you need to know exactly what to expect before jumping in - especially without the right experience.

Thanks for the suggestions in detail.
What's your opinion 85mm f1.8 instead f1.2 especailly for wedding and pro. photographers are using this 85mm f1.8 for commercial not hobby ?

85L 1.2 has that magical "something" in the bokeh...

There is no doubt the 85 1.2 is a magical lens. When starting out with weddings, you may not have the time to compose shots the way you want as most are pretty fast moving. Learn the job first. Get experience. Get a couple of sharp fast zooms to compliment your primes.

The 135 you have is also an outstanding portrait lens - with a beautiful bokeh. You also have the 85 f1.8 which is a cracking lens too. The 300 f2.8 could be used but it's a little on the big side to be carting around at weddings.

My chocie with the cameras you have would be a 24-70L f2.8 or a fast prime on the 1D MkII and the 70-200 f2.8L IS on the 30D.

The 70-200 is my most used lens. The 85 is way down my list. I use my 85 or my 50 f1.4 only in very low light or where I can't move around in a church and the focal length is appropriate.

I'm not in any way saying it's a bad lens as it is probably the best portrait lens you can buy but starting out at a wedding??? No. You will probably find it hard to control the depth of field unless shooting a static subject.

Zooms may nnot be quite as sharp but they are sharp[enough and that's why many pro's use their 70-200 for assigmnents - commercial, weddings etc.

Do not underestimate your 85 f1.8......

canoncad wrote in post #5309447
Thanks for the suggestions in detail.
What's your opinion 85mm f1.8 instead f1.2 especailly for wedding and pro. photographers are using this 85mm f1.8 for commercial not hobby ?

I'd get the 85/1.8 for commercial work. People here at POTN may obsess about the bokeh of the L but I can't believe your clients will likely give a rip.

I have the 85L because I can afford it and it is fun / lovely / sharp etc.

If I was buying an 85mm lens to put food on the table I'd get the 85/1.8

canoncad wrote in post #5303086
I am using 1D Mark IIN. any experience 85L + 1D and/or any sample wedding shots with this lens?

Let me dig around

You already have the 85mm f/1.8 - so just imagine a lens with even better bokeh and sharpness, but twice the size and weight, with half the focus speed.

Seriously, it's a GREAT lens. Once you shoot with one - you'll understand the praise.

Double Negative wrote in post #5313203
You already have the 85mm f/1.8 - so just imagine a lens with even better bokeh and sharpness, but twice the size and weight, with half the focus speed.

Seriously, it's a GREAT lens. Once you shoot with one - you'll understand the praise.

Is a slow, focusing, heavy lens all that important at weddings? Also the razor thin dof will make accurate focusing difficult.

May be great for some individual portraits but the 85 1.8 and the zooms I mentioned above (and some of the other equipment you already have) will do well in the fast paced day of the wedding shoot.

Befor

Double Negative wrote in post #5313203
You already have the 85mm f/1.8 - so just imagine a lens with even better bokeh and sharpness, but twice the size and weight, with half the focus speed.

Seriously, it's a GREAT lens. Once you shoot with one - you'll understand the praise.

Is a slow, focusing, heavy lens all that important at weddings? Also the razor thin dof will make accurate focusing difficult.

May be great for some individual portraits but the 85 1.8 and the zooms I mentioned above (and some of the other equipment you already have) will do well in the fast paced day of the wedding shoot.

Before buying, get yourself some wedding experience as a second shooter then decide if you NEED an 85 1.2.

EOS_JD wrote in post #5315904
Is a slow, focusing, heavy lens all that important at weddings? Also the razor thin dof will make accurate focusing difficult.

It's not that slow, and no heavier than the 24-70L or 70-200L. Re: accurate focus, just practice

It's really not *that* slow, especially the Mark II. While I wouldn't use it for indoor sports (the 85mm f/1.8 is great for that) it's very usable on-the-run.

Just because it's an f/1.2 lens, doesn't mean you have to shoot at f/1.2 necessarily. So why bother with the f/1.2 then? Take it outside for those portraits. Between f/1.2 and f/1.8 this lens can knock just about everything in the background out. As a bonus, at f/1.8 it's sharper than the f/1.8 lens is wide open. Finally, the bokeh. It's almost unmatched.

If nothing else, at f/1.2 that viewfinder is awfully bright!

If I were you I would pick up the 24-70mm f/2.8L for Canon Mark II N and put the Canon EF 35mmL f1.4 or the Canon EF 135mmL f2 on the Canon 30D.

The second lens I would buy would be the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and that would replace
EF 35mmL f1.4 or the Canon EF 135mmL f2 on the Canon 30D.

If any of the ceremony is outside I would switch to your Canon 17-40mmL f4.0 on the Canon 30D....

With all that said the third lens I would buy is the 85 1.2L just for portrait and ring shots...